BART to open early, run long trains for 2015 Bay to Breakers race

BART customers will be able to get to the world famous Bay to Breakers race in San Francisco on Sunday, May 17, 2015, because we’ll open early and run additional long trains. All BART stations will open early with service starting at approximately 6 am Sunday so racers can get to the race well before Bay to Breakers begins at 8 am. Trains running before 8 am will run at 20-minute intervals.

Embarcadero & Montgomery Street Both ConvenientBecause the Bay to Breakers race attracts thousands of runners and spectators, BART encourages riders originating from Peninsula and San Francisco stations to get off at Montgomery Street Station. Riders coming from the East Bay should use the Embarcadero Station. Both stations are just a short distance from Howard and Spear Streets, the starting point of the race.

See Something, Say SomethingBecause safety is always BART’s top priority, we are always operating with a heightened level of awareness for any events with large crowds. BART is asking customers to help keep the system safe for everyone by reporting unattended packages or suspicious behavior by calling BART Police at (510) 464-7000.

More Tips for RunnersRunners can save themselves time and trouble by getting a Clipper® card in advance of race day to pay their fare. Those who do are reminded to be sure to load enough cash on the card to pay for a round trip fare. Clipper cards are available at transit ticket offices, through ticket vending machines in SFMTA stations and at most Walgreens and other retail locations. BART Ticket Vending Machines will allow you to add cash value to your Clipper card, but do not dispense the cards.

Wet or damaged BART tickets will not work in fare gates, so runners who keep a round-trip ticket in their pockets while running seven miles may be disappointed when they try to get home. BART suggests that runners who don’t have a Clipper card should buy two one-way tickets: one ticket before heading to the race and the other before catching the train home instead of buying a single round-trip ticket.

BART reminds runners that shoes and proper attire are required on BART despite the “anything goes” attitude of the famous race. A reminder that there is no eating or drinking in the stations or on the trains so BART officials ask that runners do their pre-race carbo-loading before arriving at the stations. BART will permit bicycles on the early Bay to Breakers trains that run prior to 8 am with the reminder that bikes are not permitted in the first car or any crowded cars. Use good judgment and have a safe trip.